I feel so crazy and weird after I eat—but nobody would understand if I can't even explain it to myself . . .
-- Hava (Rachel)

Importance: In the prologue, Aviv incorporates excerpts from Hava's journal in order to better understand her experience with anorexia nervosa. This line from Hava's personal writings captures the alienating nature of the eating disorder. Although Hava can name how she feels, she does not understand these feelings. She therefore fears that because she does not have the correct language to translate her experience, no one will be able to help her or deliver her from her struggle. The moment contributes to the author's explorations regarding story and language, alienation and loneliness.

It didn't provide the language with which I came to understand myself.
-- Rachel Aviv (Rachel)

Importance: Throughout the entirety of the text, Aviv endeavors to understand the ways in which diagnoses may or may not provide the individual with the language to describe...